Buzz
Eating is a basic need, but it can get expensive. Here, we've gathered some of our best tips on how to cook, eat, and even drink more affordably, without resorting to the usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich (though those are still pretty good!).
Welcome to Cheap Chow Week! Food costs are higher than ever, and it might seem like your only affordable options are fast food or instant ramen. But that doesn’t have to be the case. This week, we’ll show you how to shop, cook, and eat deliciously on a budget, all while keeping the fun and flavor intact.
We’ve got hearty main dishes, simple side options, and, of course, some creative ways to elevate your instant ramen. Browse through the links below, and if you’re inspired, feel free to share your own favorite budget-friendly meals in the comments.
Main Dishes and Meals
Decadent Chicken Thigh Confit: This recipe uses chicken thighs and schmaltz as a more affordable alternative to classic duck legs and fat.
“Aged” Steaks with Fish Sauce and Koji: Enhance a cheap cut with the rich flavors of two unique ingredients.
Sous-Vide Carnitas for Months of Tacos: Turn a $20 pork shoulder into weeks of savory carnitas with sous-vide cooking (freezing required for storage).
Transform a Can of Beans into a Special Dish: The humble legume can be fancy.
Make Chuck Roast Taste Like Prime Rib: Sous-vide helps make this budget cut feel like a premium meal.
Beat Starbucks at Their Own Game with Sous-Vide Egg Bites: Just eggs, cottage cheese, and any mix-ins you love.
Create a Creamy Pasta with Four Ingredients—No Cream Needed: Semolina flour is the secret ingredient.
Maximize the Meals from One Chicken: Poaching is an underrated method.
Three Ways to Turn a Sweet Potato into a Full Meal: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner—sweet potatoes do it all.
Make Cheap Stew Meat Taste Amazing: The key lies in how you treat it.
Save Money at the Drive-Thru with Homemade Freezer-Friendly Breakfasts: A single pan of eggs can provide two weeks’ worth of breakfast sandwiches and burritos.
Make Fancy Canapés with Canned Salmon: Croquettes turn a simple ingredient into a gourmet treat.
Prepare a Dinner for Two Under $10 at Trader Joe’s: Plenty of delicious options available (including a vegan choice).
Jazz Up Your Instant Ramen: Poach an Egg Right in the Soup, add Coconut Milk, or try These Excellent Reader Tips.
Side Dishes and Snacks
Make an Impressive Potato Dish with Just Spuds and Butter: Pommes Anna will wow even your toughest dinner guests.
The Best Potatoes Au Gratin—No Cheese Required: Just Russets and cream, all the way.
This Fancy Cheese Spread is Made from Scraps: A French creation that’s sophisticated and simple.
Green Tomato Upside-Down Cornbread is a Game Changer: Who gave A.A. Newton permission to make something this good?
Chicken Livers are Affordable—Turn Them Into Mousse: The cheapest charcuterie you can make.
Blistered Shishito Peppers: The Ultimate One-Ingredient Snack: Watch out for the occasional spicy surprise.
This Instant Pot Polenta is Incredibly Creamy: And it requires no stirring, which is perfect.
Carrot Tops (and Other Green Scraps) Make a Fantastic Pesto: Great on grilled fish or simply with crackers.
Haystacks: The Cheapest Confection You’ll Ever Make: Surprisingly delicious.
Super Seasonings
Transform bell pepper peels and tomato skins into vibrant, flavorful salts: These food scraps pack a punch in terms of taste.
Shio koji enhances every dish: The rice is a small investment—about eight bucks—but it yields a ton of shio koji, and the flavor payoff is immense. Coat a whole chicken with this savory spread before roasting for golden, flavorful skin.
Simple, budget-friendly marinades will elevate your meat: Some of these even include soda. Yes, we’re very proud of this one.
Basic table salt still reigns supreme: There's no need to be a salt connoisseur.
Cheap beer also holds its own: Save the wine for sipping.
Don’t discard the ramen seasoning packet: Use it to add umami flavor to popcorn, eggs, or anything else that needs a savory boost.
Waste Not
Infuse gin with pineapple peels: Vodka works as an alternative if needed.
Render poultry scraps to create excellent cooking fat: Schmaltz is liquid gold in the kitchen.
Clean out your fridge with this quick, two-ingredient dish: Eggs and rice are all you need.
Turn your wilting produce into a delicious meal: Everyone loves a crispy veggie pancake.
Bake leftover odds and ends into a simple bread: It’s really easy to make.
Embrace food waste and save money: We have plenty of articles and videos to show you how.
If we’ve overlooked one of your favorite budget-friendly meal hacks, ways to use food scraps, or clever ramen upgrades, please share it in the comments below so we can all learn from each other.
